Branched-chain amino acid ingestion can ameliorate soreness from eccentric exercise.

PURPOSE:: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation during recovery from intense eccentric exercise. METHODS:: Twenty-four non-weight trained males were assigned to one of two groups; one group (SUP) ingested BCAA beverages (n=12); a second group (PLA) ingested artificially flavoured water (n=12). Diet was controlled throughout the testing period to match habitual intake. The eccentric exercise protocol consisted of 12x10 repetitions of unilateral eccentric knee extension exercise at 120% concentric one repetition maximum. On the day of the exercise supplements were consumed 30 min before exercise, 1.5 h following exercise, between lunch and dinner and before bed. On the following two days four supplements were consumed between meals. Muscle soreness, muscle function and putative blood markers of muscle damage were assessed pre and post (1, 8, 24, 48, 72 h) exercise. RESULTS:: Muscle function decreased after the eccentric exercise (P